System Software

Chapter 5

5-1 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Describe the differences between system software and application software

• Discuss the four types of system software• Discuss the basic functions, features, and

categories of operating systems• Describe the Windows,

Mac OS, UNIX, & Linux operating systems

Competencies (Page 1 of 2)

5-2 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Describe the purpose of utilities and utility suites• Identify the five most essential utilities• Discuss Windows utility programs

• Describe device drivers, including printer drivers

Competencies (Page 2 of 2)

5-3 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Handles technical details

• Works with end users, application software, and computer hardware

• Four types of programs– Operating system– Utilities– Device drivers– Language translators

System Software

5-4 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Manage computer resources• Provide an interface between the users and

computer• Runs applications• A collection of programs that handle technical

tasks• Every computer has an operating

system

Operating Systems

5-5 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Performs three types of functions– Manages computer resources

• Coordinate memory, processing storage, and printers• Monitor system performance• Provide security• Start-up the computer

– Provides user interface • Character-based interface• Graphical user interface (GUI)

– Runs applications• Multitasking• Foreground & background applications

Functions of an Operating System

5-6 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Booting • Features in common with application software

– Icons– Pointers– Windows– Menus – Dialog boxes– Help

Features of an Operating System

5-7 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Hundreds of operating systems• Three basic categories

– Embedded operating systems – hand-held

– Network operating systems – linked computers

– Stand-alone operating systems – desktop

Categories of Operating Systems

5-8 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• OS often called software environment or platform

• Operating systems commonly used by individuals– Windows – most widely used– Mac OS – powerful and easy to use– UNIX – network; originally designed for Web– LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web

More on Operating Systems

5-9 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• The most popular microcomputer operating system – over 90 percent of the market

• Comes in a variety of different versions• Windows 7

provides several improvements

over Windows Vista

Windows

5-10 Return Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• An operating system designed to run on Apple computers

• Not used as widely as Windows• One of the most innovative operating systems

• Mac OS X is one of the latest versions • Mac OS (Boot Camp)

allows the running of both

the Mac OS and Windows

Mac OS

5-11 Return Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• UNIX operating system– Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a

network– Used by powerful microcomputers

• LINUX is a version of UNIX– Not proprietary– Open source

UNIX and LINUX

5-12 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical machine

• Virtualization software– Physical machine can be logically separated

into separate and independent virtual computers called virtual machines

– Host operating system– Guest operating system

Virtualization

5-13 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Specialized programs to make computing easier • Most essential utilities

– Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs– Antivirus programs– Uninstall programs– Backup programs– File compression programs

Utilities

5-14 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Backup and Restore

• Disk Cleanup

• Disk Defragmenter

Windows Utilities

5-15

Accessing Windows Vista utilities:

Click Start, Select All Programs, Select Accessories, Choose System Tools

Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Utility program includedwith many Windowsversions

• Makes a copy of all files or

selected files that have been

saved on a disk• Helps prevent against

disk failure

Backup and Restore

5-16

ReturnCopyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Identifies and eliminatesnonessential files

• Frees up valuable space

and improves system

performance

Disk Cleanup

5-17

Return

Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disk Defragmenter

5-18

• Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments

• Rearranges files and

unused disk space to

optimize operations• Speeds up file access

Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• A group of several utility programs bundled for sale

• Buying the package is economical • Popular suites

– Norton System Works – McAfee Office– V Communications

SystemSuite

Utility Suites

5-19 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and the computer

• Loaded into memory eachtime a computer is started

• When a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed

Device Drivers

5-20 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Virus Protection and Internet Security

• Internet Security Suite– Runs a number of programs– Continually monitors your

computer• VirusScan

– Controls the frequency of searches for viruses

– Quarantines or deletes infected files

• PrivacyService– Helps protect your privacy

online– Block websites, cookies, and

ads

5-21 Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.